§ Mr. NOEL BUXTONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can state the number of the Indian troops dispatched to Bushire; and 1240W whether their functions are strictly confined to the reinforcement of the Consular guards at the British Consulates in the interior of Persia?
§ Sir EDWARD GREYFour squadrons of the 39th Central Indian Horse are being dispatched from Bombay. They are intended to reinforce the Consular escorts at Bushire, Shiraz, and Ispahan, pending the execution by the Persian Government of effective measures for the restoration of security of life and property in Southern Persia. Their functions will be limited to those of Consular escorts.
§ Mr. COWANasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether two bodies of Russian troops have arrived at Enzeli, on the Caspian seaboard of Persia, and at Julfa, near the Persian frontier, respectively; if so, can he state their number; whether His Majesty's Government have received information to the effect that these troops are to be followed by larger forces; if they have not received information in this sense, will they make inquiries of the Russian Government; and can he inform the House to what places in Persia these Russian troops are proceeding, and with what object?
§ Sir EDWARD GREYHis Majesty's Government are informed by the Russian Government that the Russian Consular escorts are to be increased at Resht and at Ispahan, the former by 100, the latter by 150 men. His Majesty's Government have not received information to the effect that these troops are to be followed by larger forces, nor have they reason to suppose that there is need for inquiry.